The Italian for ‘beautiful singing’ is used to describe Italian opera of the first part of the 19th century. Three pre-eminent Italian composers of that era are Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini.

The Phantom of the Opera? It's not just in musicals that you'll find ghosts. Opera as its share of haunted houses too.

Composer Richard Wagner, despite the controversies surrounding his life and political views, bestrides German opera like a colossus.

Opera is certainly not the most tender artform to women. Between sacrifices, rapes, forced marriages, illnesses, suicides or even murders, women are often presented as the victims of a destiny. Here we focus on female roles who stand out by virtue of their strong, independent and enterprising character.

Tenors in opera frequently take the leading male role. They are said to have irresistible charm - on and off stage!